Boosting Your Confidence

10 Ways You Can Start
Boosting Your Confidence

(and Feeling Better) Today
By Rhett Power of Inc.
With confidence, the world just seems like a better place, a sunny
day where anything is possible. Without it, the darkness slowly
creeps in and your mood begins to decline.
Just like the sun provides crucial Vitamin D, confidence provides

the “juice” necessary to succeed in both your personal and
professional life. Whether it’s fear of the unknown or the scars of
past failures, low confidence can occur for many reasons.
Below are 10 ways to become a more confident person that should

help you in all aspects of your life.
1. Fake it Until You Make It

This is a common term for a reason. Clearly, if you are reading this,
you are seeking ways to improve your confidence, so faking it may
be a good way to start. Eventually, even you may start to believe all
the great things about you!
Here are the times when you really should fake it until you make it.
2. Dress the Part

Nothing makes you feel better than looking in the mirror and liking
what you see. I consider myself a very casual person, but even I
cannot enjoy comfort if it isn’t sometimes contrasted with style and
effort. This also applies to grooming.
Here’s what you need to spruce up your style without much extra

effort.
3. Create a Positive Network

Surround yourself with positive people who notice your good
attributes and give you with good vibes. This will make negative
thinking more difficult and less desirable.
Here’s how can you build an incredible network from scratch.
4. Be Prepared
Feeling unprepared is often cited as a main reason for low self-
esteem. If you go into situations ready for any scenario, you will
have much less to beat yourself up about afterward.
Here’s how you can finally stop procrastinating.
5. Fix Something Small

Changing one small bad habit will make you feel great, show you
what is possible, and lead to bigger changes. More positive changes
equals more confidence!
Here are some of the habits you can fix quickly.

6. Exercise
It is no secret that exercise is directly related to happiness. If
positive self-talk isn’t helping, you can gain a sense of control by
just getting up and moving. Motivation in one aspect of your life can
extend into others.
Here’s how you can even get moving at the office.
7. Educate Yourself
Feel behind at work? Concerned about your parenting? Be proactive
and take a class. Just the act of doing something about it can make
you feel better.
Here are 45 free classes that you can finish before the end of the
year.
8. Participate in Community Service

Those who volunteer have been known to feel better about
themselves than those who don’t. Joy can be infectious.
Here’s more on volunteerism.
9. Clean
Organizing your workspace or house can provide a sense of control
that many with low self-esteem lack. It can also help you find things
more easily, leading to feeling better in the future.
Here’s the messy person’s guide to staying organized.

10. Set Reminders
This refers to both positive and negative reminders. Adding positive
ones can reinforce the impact of any achievements you have made.
Eliminating the negative ones can reduce the chances of being
brought back down.
Here’s how to re-focus on your big career goals.
The way you feel about yourself not only impacts you personally,
but also those around you. If there is a purpose to this crazy thing
we call life, many believe it is to better yourself. If everyone
believed this, it could be the first step to a better world.
More From Inc.
 Want to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence? Here Is the

Quality You Need to Improve
 How to Avoid Burnout at Work in 5 Steps
 14 Signs You’re About to Receive a Job Offer
Photo of confident woman courtesy of Shutterstock.
About The Author

Inc.com is where you can find everything you need to know to start and grow
your business now. Inc.com is replete with small business ideas, information,
and inspiration, as well as practical advice from those who have done it
before.
45 Free Online Classes You

Can Take (and Finish) by the
End of This Year
By Kat Moon
No matter where you’re at in your career, learning something new

can only help you. Looking for a new job? A unique skill could easily
set you apart from the hundreds of other applicants. Worked in the
same position for a long time? Expertise in a new field could be the
factor that gets you the promotion. And, even if you’re a senior-level
manager who’s totally content, getting experience in an unfamiliar
area shows your team how much you value growing your skill set.
Like most other things, though, learning a new skill is easier said
than done. Unless, of course, all the resources are handed to you.
Today, we’re doing exactly that. To make sure that you don’t spend
hours searching for what to learn and where to learn it, we curated
a list of 45 online classes from awesome resources across the web.
Whether you’re interested in programming, graphic design, speech

writing, or conflict resolution, there’s bound to be a class for you.
P.S. All of these classes are free.
P.P.S. None of them take more than 10 weeks to complete, so be

ready to add new skills to your resume before the end of the year!
Programming
1. An Introduction to Interactive Programming in

Python (Part 1), Coursera
Anyone with a knowledge of high school mathematics is welcome to

take this class taught at Rice University. To make learning Python
easy, instructors of this course built a new browser-based
programming environment. You’ll learn to build simple, interactive
games like Pong, Blackjack, and Asteroids.
Duration: 50 Hours / 5 Lessons
2. JavaScript, Codecademy
Join more than five million students in learning JavaScript—the

programming language of the web. You’ll develop everything from a
simple “Rock, Paper, Scissors” game to an address book and even a
cash register.
3. Java Tutorial for Complete Beginners, Udemy
Just like the courses title says, this class is designed for anyone
with no prior programming knowledge. As long as you have a desire
to learn to code, you’re fit to take the class. And don’t get
intimidated by the large number of lessons. Although 75 lectures are
taught, most of them are under 20 minutes long, and the time
commitment is perfectly manageable if distributed well across a
few weeks.

4. Intro to Java Programming, Udacity
Java is the core language used in developing Android apps and is

commonly used in back-end web development. If you’ve never
programmed before but are interested in entering either of these
fields, then this course is a perfect spot for you to start.
5. Make a Website, Codecademy
Take this short, three-hour course to learn how to build a website

from scratch using HTML and CSS. You’ll be asked to create a
recent version of Airbnb’s home page and learn the fundamentals
of web development in the process.
6. Diploma in C Programming, ALISON
One of the most popular and widely used programming languages, C

is commonly used to program operating systems such as Unix. Upon
completing this course, you’ll learn everything from functions,
methods, and routines to variables, arrays, and pointers.
7. HTML, CSS, and Javascript, Coursera
Taught by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,

this course teaches you the essential elements of web
development. Although no previous experience in HTML, CSS, and
Javascript is necessary, the instructors note that it would be helpful
to have some type of prior programming knowledge. By the end of
the course, you’ll be able to create a website using HTML elements,
apply CSS to parts of a website, and program interactive Javascript
in a website.
8. HTML5 Part 1: HTML5 Coding Essentials and Best

Practices, edX
Anyone with a basic knowledge of HTML and familiarity with CSS is

encouraged to take this course taught by the World Wide Web
Consortium (also known as W3C). You’ll learn to use the new
simplified HTML5 tags, animate fun web graphics, and practice
coding techniques through multiple interactive exercises.
Duration: 48 hours / 6 Lessons
Design
9. Beginner’s Guide to Image Editing in Photoshop,

Digital Tutors
This series of step-by-step videos will teach you Photoshop terms

and definitions and get you started with using basic tools and
techniques. You’ll start off by resizing and resampling images, then
move on to correcting the colors of an image and removing
unwanted information. You’d be surprised by how much you can
learn in 90 minutes!
Duration: 1.5 Hours / 10 Lessons

10. Getting Started With Photoshop CC, Udemy
Udemy’s introduction course covers the basics so you can get

started using Photoshop CC as soon as possible. Want to learn to
use the marquee tool in detail, feather a selection, or refine edge
command? You’ve come to the right place.
11. Adobe After Effects, ALISON
Adobe After Effects is a popular software program used to create

motion effects and visual graphics for video. In this course, you’ll be
introduced to the After Effects GUI and workspace and learn
everything from importing and organizing files to understanding
composition and video standards.
Duration: 3 Hours / 1 Lesson
12. How to Get Started With Adobe Illustrator CS6—10

Things Beginners Want to Know How to Do, Adobe TV
In this 40-minute tutorial, Adobe Creative Suite Podcast’s Terry

White will show you the basics that’ll help you get started using
Adobe Illustrator CS6.
Duration: 40 Minutes / 1 Lesson
13. Beginner’s Guide to Concept Sketching, Digital

Tutors
Concept sketching takes a number of different forms—from logos

and layouts to characters and environment design. In this course,
you’ll learn the fundamentals of each of these forms using Adobe
Photoshop. These step-by-step videos move at an easy-to-follow
pace to make sure that you understand the basic tools and
techniques.
14. Adobe InDesign Made Easy, Udemy
We know that 105 lessons seem like a lot—but the majority of these
lessons are under 10 minutes. Designed by Infinite Skills, this
course is a resource for anyone wanting to learn the powerful,
often-intimidating page layout and design program. By the end of
the class, you’ll be well versed in creating print and digital-ready
documents in InDesign.
Online Marketing
15. Online Advertising, OPEN2STUDY
Want to find out more about major digital platforms, social and
mobile search, and how online ads are priced and delivered? If so,
then OPEN2STUDY’s Online Advertising course is perfect for you. Be
prepared to learn how to set realistic and measurable campaign
objectives, identify the steps involved in digital campaign planning,
and understand the process of selling an online ad program.
16. Google Analytics, ALISON

One of the premier tools for analyzing web traffic, Google Analytics
is useful whether you’re running a major international commercial
website or managing a personal blog. At the end of this course,
some of the skills you’ll have mastered include knowing how to see
how well your paid keywords perform, determining the keywords
that bring high value visits, and identifying problem areas in your
campaigns.
Duration: 2 Hours / 1 Lesson
17. Social Media 101, Social Media Quickstarter
Email marketing provider Constant Contact created this online

tutorial to get you started on building your social media presence
across all of the top social networks—from Facebook, Twitter, and
LinkedIn to Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.
Duration: 1.5 Hours / 1 Lesson
18. SEO for SEO Beginners, Udemy
Heard of SEO, but never got the chance to understand what it

actually is? This is the course for you. Upon completing the class,
you’ll become an expert on the three pillars of powerful SEO,
resulting in you knowing how to get to the top of the search results.
Duration: 1 Hour / 15 Lessons
19. Diploma in E-Business, ALISON
This course will help all business owners increase their knowledge
of what online marketing is and how to go about implementing a
successful online marketing strategy. Concrete skills you’ll have by
the end of the course include using AdSense and AdWords,
analyzing revenue metrics and custom reporting, and navigating
Google Analytics reports.
20. Getting Started With Email Marketing, Skillshare
In this class, MailChimp’s Allyson Van Houten teaches you how to

craft an email marketing strategy that will help you achieve your
business goals. Whether you’re a small business owner, a
freelancer, or a part of a startup team, you’ll be able to learn from
the bite-sized lessons packed with core email marketing concepts,
guiding questions, and practical resources.
21. How to Get a Job Using Social Media, The Muse
The Muse partnered with digital powerhouse Mashable to create

this class that will teach you how to integrate social media into
your job search strategy. Apart from learning to establish your
personal brand and network with people online, you’ll identify job
opportunities via social media and turn leads into real-life job
opportunities.
Duration: 5 Lessons
Communication
22. Intercultural Communication and Conflict

Resolution, Coursera
Originally taught at the University of California, Irvine, this course
gives you the chance to strengthen your personal and professional
relationships by addressing conflicts between individuals within
organizations. More specifically, you’ll develop skills aimed at
managing intercultural conflicts in today’s global society, and
explore how factors like competing interests and power imbalances
affect management strategies.
23. Professional Communication Essentials, Udemy
Email etiquette, letter-writing, web and URL searching: These are

communication skills no professional can live without. In this hour-
long online course, you’ll be equipped to communicate effectively
and improve your thinking, writing, and information literacy in
different electronic environments.
24. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution,

OPEN2STUDY
Does the idea of networking or resolving conflict make you cringe?

If so, this course by Dr. Andrew Heys of Macquarie University could
bring you renewed confidence. You’ll learn concrete skills like
labeling different phases of negotiation and learning what to do in
each phase, using a general framework for analyzing and resolving
conflict, and bridging the gap between “knowing” and “doing” so
that you can put the skills you learn into practice.

25. Stuttering Treatment: The ABC’s of Smoother
Speech, Udemy
Taught by Michael Williams, international expert speech coach and

the founder of The Start Speaking Training Center, this course aims
to help you create a brand new way of speaking that is smooth,
fluent, and confident. Williams’ students have gone from struggling
with stuttering and stammering to winning Toastmasters
competitions.
26. Business Communication—Developing Effective

Business Presentation Skills, ALISON
No matter where you are in your career, we’re guessing that you’ve
become familiar with poorly made presentations. But not all
presentations have to be that way—and that’s where this course
comes in. Upon completing the class, you’ll know how to effectively
engage and persuade an audience, develop an effective
presentation by mapping its flow and creating presentation aids,
and assess the expectations of your audience.
27. Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook

for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator,
Coursera
This Yale University course will help you become a better

negotiator. You’ll leave the course better able to predict, interpret,
and shape the behavior of people you face in competitive situations.
Apart from that, you’ll learn to make ultimatums, avoid regret, and
deal with someone who has a very different perspective on the
world. Advanced topics in this course include negotiating when you
have no power, negotiating over email, and the role of gender
differences in negotiation.
Writing
28. Business Communication—Fundamentals of
Business Writing, ALISON
Being able to express your thoughts and ideas through writing in a

clear, concise, and efficient manner is crucial in the business world.
Whether you’re sending an inquiry to a company or submitting a
cover letter for a job application, how the letter is written and
formatted can make the difference between having it taken
seriously or not. That’s why this course aims to give you the skills—
and the confidence—needed to write professionally in any situation.
29. How to Write an Essay, edX
Instructed by Professor Maggie Sokolik at University of California,

Berkeley, this course focuses on essay development, grammatical
correctness, and self-editing. You’ll learn strategies for writing
longer texts and thesis statements and master the skill of writing
effective introductions and conclusions.
30. Introduction to Journalism, Class Central

Calling everyone interested in journalism: This course taught by the
University of Strathclyde Glasgow could be the perfect class for
you. Run by a team of internationally renowned scholars and
journalism practitioners, the class gives you a behind-the-scenes
look at the professional world of reporters and editors. The six
topics are: what makes a good story, writing news, writing features,
opinion writing, politics and journalism, and investigative
journalism.
31. Start Writing Fiction, FutureLearn
Intended for anyone with an interest in fiction writing (with no prior

experience necessary), this course teaches you how to develop
your ideas and reflect on the writing and editing process. You’ll hear
other writers talk about their approaches to research and consider
different plot strategies.
32. Journalism Skills for Engaged Citizens, Coursera
Over eight weeks, this course, designed by instructors from the

University of Melbourne, will teach you the basics of news writing,
how to interview people to gain crucial information, how to develop
your sources, and how to use your legal rights to access public
information. You’ll explore the ethics behind journalism practice and
conduct a mock investigation into local government.
33. Create Income Opportunities by Learning Power

Writing, Udemy
Does the idea of increasing your corporate wealth, opening new
career doors, or creating additional income opportunities sound
exciting to you? If so, then consider taking Udemy’s course that will
help you become an engaging and polished business writer—and
teach you how to create income-generating opportunities through
writing.
34. Journalism for Social Change, edX
Taught by University of California, Berkeley’s professor Daniel

Heimpel, this course aims to teach students how to use journalism
and media as an implement of social change. You’ll learn to report
so that your work can drive political will toward positive policy
solutions and gain strategies for becoming an effective change
agent yourself.
Entrepreneurship
35. Entrepreneurship 101: Who Is Your Customer?,

edX
Although this course was originally taught at Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, don’t expect to watch a series of lectures.
Instead, every session in the syllabus is an in-depth and focused
case study of MIT entrepreneurs from areas as diverse as mobile
applications and 3D printing to power electronics and international
development. From these case studies, you’ll learn how to go from
having an idea to gaining an understanding of who will buy your
product. The course is free, but you can add a MITx Certificate for
$100.
36. How to Make Money Online: The Passive Income

Business Plan, Udemy
Instructed by online entrepreneur Mike Omar, this course aims to

help you make money while you sleep (no, we’re not joking). The
course materials were designed to make you $5,000 per month in
passive income earnings. What’s more, the skills you learn in this
course will allow you to build all kinds of online businesses in the
future.
37. Growth Strategies for Business, ALISON
This course is created for anyone who is interested in starting his or

her own company or wants to learn more about the factors involved
in growing a business. You’ll gain knowledge of the changes,
transformations, strategies, and mistakes that need to be
considered when growing a business internationally.
38. Scaling Operations: Linking Strategy and

Execution, Coursera
This Northwestern University course will teach you how to make

strategic decisions that are grounded in operational reality. You’ll
learn how to build and evaluate the “operating system” of a firm to
maximize value. At the end of the course, you’ll be able to create an
effective, actionable plan that will scale your department or
organization.
39. Entrepreneurship and Family Business,

OPEN2STUDY
Interested in learning about entrepreneurial characteristics and

psychology, intrapreneurship, or family businesses? If any of these
topics sound exciting to you, then enroll in this OPEN2STUDY
course. You’ll study everything from the role of power and politics in
businesses to managing the family while managing the business.
40. Build. Measure. Learn. Lean Startup SXSW 2012,

Udemy
Recorded at SXSW Interactive 2012, this course provides all the

presentations from the Lean Startup event. You’ll learn lean startup
methodology from some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and
startup experts like Steve Blank, Scott Cook, and Todd Park.
Law
41. Law and the Entrepreneur, Coursera
If you’re a passionate (or aspiring) entrepreneur who feels

intimidated by the legal aspects of your business, this is the course
for you. Designed by Northwestern University, this course covers
topics such as American law on choice of entity, protecting
intellectual property of the business with patent, and trademark and
copyright law.
42. Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation,

FutureLearn
Using videos of real witnesses, this course explores the psychology

of eyewitness testimony. You’ll get to see whether your
investigative skills are as proficient as those of police officers and
try to solve different crimes using evidence from cameras that go
behind the scenes of police investigations. (While not applicable to
most professions, it sounds like a lot of fun.)
43. Fundamentals of Business Law, ALISON
Take this course if you’d like to learn about the important principles
in business law. You’ll study everything from legal requirements and
legal recommendations to financial status and taxation.
44. Copyright Made Easy, Udemy
Designed by a licensed attorney, this class gives you a

comprehensive introduction to copyright law. At the end of two
hours, you’ll understand the benefits that intellectual property
brings and learn how to apply copyright law to your content.
45. Cyberwar, Surveillance, and Security, edX
This course taught by the University of Adelaide will help you

understand the competing tensions of laws related to privacy and
national security. You’ll learn the nature and consequences of
cyber-activism and cyberwar, as well as the purpose and impacts of
global networked surveillance technologies.
Photo of laptop illustration courtesy of Shutterstock.
About The Author
A board member of Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, Kat is

either hosting inspiring founders or trekking across cities (Silicon Valley and
London, anyone?) to discover the hottest startups. And, when she’s not
putting together large-group gatherings for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship,
Kat is planning food excursions to discover the best Taiwanese beef noodle
soup in NYC. The only thing she loves almost as much as crafting content as
an Editorial Intern at The Muse is studying content as an English Major at
Columbia University. Say hi on Twitter @katxmoon.
9 Surefire Ways to Become
the Person Everyone
Respects
By Lily Herman
Whether you’re on the bottom of the career ladder or at the very top,
respecting your colleagues and being respected by others is
incredibly important.
By using these simple tricks, you’ll become that person everyone

admires—no matter what your job title is.
1. Talking less and listening more can get you way further than

being the loudest person in the room. (The Huffington Post)
2. You never want to be in the middle of office politics, but being
aware of where you stand and how you fit in the office ecosystem
is equally important. (Lifehack)
3. Never underestimate the power of common courtesy. Clean
up after yourself, be on time, finish your projects by their deadlines,
and be kind to others. (Tech Republic)
4. Show gratitude to others through simple acts of kindness, like
wishing someone a happy birthday or making an extra pot of coffee
for a colleague who needs it. (Tiny Buddha)
5. By understanding where others are coming from
and respecting yourself first and foremost, you can command the
respect of others. (Paul Jarvis)
6. The people who garner the most admiration are those who
know how to admit when they’re wrong. (Wise Bread)
7. Make an effort to be the most inclusive person in your
office. (Buffer)
8. No matter what you do or say, be sure to practice what you
preach. (Pick the Brain)
9. Studies show that self-trust can make you more admired by
others. (The Daily Muse)
Why Your Morning Routine
Isn’t Working (and How to Fix
it)—and 11 Other Things to
Know Now
By Lily Herman
Every week, we gather our favorite resources on career advice,

smart living tips, and ways to have a little more fun in life and
compile it all into our famous Best of the Web newsletter. And now,
we’re bringing it out of our inboxes and onto the web—just for you!
Love what you see? Make sure to share Best of the Web with your
friends!
Want to make sure you never miss out on any of the action? Sign up
for our newsletter now!
Work Hard
 Why the 8-Hour Workday Doesn’t Work for You (and What to Do
Instead) (LinkedIn)
 Nobody Cares How Hard You Work (99U)
 How Can “People Skills” Be Listed on Your Resume? (Fortune)
 3 Little Habits That Drive Recruiters Totally Crazy (The Daily
Muse)
Live Smart
 How to Eliminate 90% of Your Regret and Anxiety by Thinking
Like a Roman Emperor (Medium)
 The 6 Lists You Need to Make Every Day Productive (Fast
Company)
 Why Your Morning Routine Isn’t Working, and How to Fix
It (Lifehacker)
 This 5-Minute Quiz Is Surprisingly Accurate About How You
Respond to Expectations (The Daily Muse)
Play Often
 13 Spooky Halloween Cocktail Recipes (Real Simple)
 How to Go on a Trip With Friends—and Still Be Friends After
the Trip (Mashable)
 Every Coffee Shop Chain’s Pumpkin Latte, Ranked (Thrillist)
 10 Ways Successful People Spend Their Time After Work (The
Daily Muse)
Self-promotion at work:
It's a must, here's how to
do it
 by

 Anne Fisher

 @anbfisher
OCTOBER 17, 2015, 9:00 AM EDT
 E-mail

 Tweet

 Facebook

 Linkedin
Share icons
When done right, self-promotion at work is
not bragging. You owe it to your employer,
and hiring managers, to describe what you
do.
Dear Annie: I have two questions. First, I’m looking for a new job,
so I’m updating my resume, and trying to decide what to include. I
keep reading that it’s important to quantify one’s accomplishments
(increased sales X%, cut costs by $Y, etc.) and, up to a point, I can
do that. As a benefits specialist in human resources, I’ve been
responsible for some real cost savings. But I really feel my main
strength is in mentoring, informal coaching, and advising interns
(most of whom were later hired here. Also, several of my former
mentees are now senior managers, and one is CFO.) Can “people
skills” be quantified? If not, should I even put them on my resume?
My second question is, I realize I have to promote my
accomplishments to employers and networking contacts, but I really
hate doing it. I haven’t been very good at it where I work now, and
talking about my achievements in job interviews just seems like
bragging. Is there some way to get over this feeling? Should I just
grit my teeth and do it anyway? —Charlotte in Chicago
Dear C.C.: If you were determined to try, you could probably come
up with a credible estimate of what your “people skills” have
contributed to your company. “Let’s say your coaching helped your
employer bring on interns who are stellar employees, for instance.
Someone has already put a dollar value on those hires,” points out
career coach Rick Gillis. “Otherwise, how would [the company]
know what to pay them?”
Even so, not everything can be quantified — and it doesn’t need to
be. “Most people in any enterprise don’t contribute directly to its
revenues. They provide support for the people who do. No company
is a solo act,” notes Gillis. A talent for helping other people succeed
“is extremely valuable to employers. It certainly belongs on your
resume.”
In the section on work experience, along with your other

achievements, add a few lines that succinctly describe the outcome
of your coaching and mentoring, including how many interns were
hired, especially if they’ve stayed for more than a year or two, and
what your mentees went on to achieve.
Then, when you ask for references from past and current bosses and
peers, mention that you’re hoping to emphasize not just
quantifiable results but your “soft” skills too. Suggests Gillis,
“Choose references who have seen your ‘people skills’ in action” —
including, perhaps, that CFO you helped on his way up.
As for how to talk up your accomplishments without feeling like a

blowhard, Gillis wrote a book about it, called Promote! It’s Who
Knows What You Know that Makes a Career. In his coaching
practice, he often works with people who, like you, don’t want to
brag. “But when it’s done correctly, self-promotion isn’t bragging,”
he says. “It’s informing.”
By his lights, you owe it to your current employer, as well as hiring
managers elsewhere, to describe what you’ve been up to. “It’s your
professional responsibility to make decision-makers aware of the
value you bring to the organization,” Gillis says. “It’s part of your
job.”
One mistake people often make, he adds, is to “assume that the

person you report to knows everything you do. Bosses now have so
many different things on their plates, it’s unlikely that yours has
more than a general idea of what you’re doing, unless you
consistently keep him or her up to date.”
Looking at it that way makes reporting your wins seem less like
blowing your own horn, and more like simply conveying useful
facts. Take the same approach to rewriting your resume. “Don’t
forget to briefly touch on successes from past jobs,” says Gillis. You
may need to track down the details by reaching out to former
managers and coworkers. If so, he says, “Email won’t work here. To
bypass generic responses, you must do this by phone.”
One exercise that may help you get past a reluctance to talk up your
own achievements: Pretend you’re describing someone else’s. As a
mentor, you probably have some experience with this. If you’ve
recommended that someone be hired, promoted, or given a special
project, think back on why you thought so, and exactly how you
expressed your support. Then apply some of that enthusiasm to
yourself. “Young women in particular often find it difficult to ‘sell’
themselves,” observes Gillis. “However, women are very good at
doing it for each other.” He points to some intriguing
recent research about that.
“But mostly, becoming adept at self-promotion takes practice,” he
adds. Your current job hunt is a good place to start — and, in your
next job, “just keep at it.”
Good luck!
Talkback: Are you comfortable describing your own achievements

at work? Why or why not? Leave a comment below.
Have a career question for Anne Fisher? Email
askannie@fortune.com.
10 Job Skills You'll Need in

2020
By Scott Dockweiler
The world of work—and the world in general—is changing. People

are living longer, new technologies are emerging, and we’ve never
been more globally connected. That means the skills we use now in
the workplace are not necessarily the skills we’ll need in the future.
To get a sense of what skills you might want to start investing your
time into developing, check out the infographic below. (Note: It
might sound like 2020 is really far into the future, but it’s actually
only about five years away.)
Infographic courtesy of Top10OnlineColleges.org. Photo of street courtesy of
Shutterstock.
About The Author
Scott Dockweiler crafts witty headlines, writes fun articles, and generally
lends a hand to the editorial team at The Daily Muse. When he’s not Musing,
he’s trying to get his acting career off the ground and racking up Delta
Airlines frequent flier miles between NYC and LA. You won’t find him on
Twitter—yet.
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE: GUIDE | CAREER ADVANCEMENT

45 Pieces of Career Advice
That Will Get You to the Top
When it comes to your career, sometimes it feels like you could use
all the advice you can get. From picking the "right" career to
actually excelling in it, there's certainly a lot to learn.
And that's why we've gathered our all-time best career

advice. From starting out at the bottom of the totem pole to
advancing to a more senior position to—who knows?—maybe even
branching out to open your own business, we've collected 45 of the
best tips for whatever stage you're at in your career.
On Working a Not-Quite-Dream-Job
1. The best career or job is the one in which you’re using the skills
you enjoy. But, not every job needs to address all of your passions.
Use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an
open mind; you may find that you really enjoy something you never
imagined would appeal to you. Miriam Salpeter, Founder of Keppie
Careers
2. Don't take yourself (or your career) too seriously. Plenty of

brilliant people started out in jobs they hated, or took paths that
weren't right at the beginning of their careers. Professional
development is no longer linear, and trust that with hard work and a
dedication to figuring out what you want to do with your life, you,
too, will be OK! Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse
3. Every person you meet is a potential door to a new opportunity—

personally or professionally. Build good bridges even in that just-for-
now job, because you never know how they’ll weave into the larger
picture of your life. Kristina Leonardi, Career Coach
4. My friend Andre said to me, "You know, Marissa, you’re putting a
lot of pressure on yourself to pick the right choice, and I’ve gotta be
honest: That’s not what I see here. I see a bunch of good choices,
and there’s the one that you pick and make great." I think that’s
one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten.” Marissa Mayer,
CEO of Yahoo!
5. No matter how low on the totem poll you are or how jaded

you’ve become by your to-do list, it’s still important to show up
early, wear something sharp, and avoid Facebook like the plague. I
discovered that when I acted like a professional, I suddenly felt like
my work was a lot more valuable. “Looking the part” boosted my
confidence, helped me begin to see myself as a highly capable
contributor to the team—and ultimately led the rest of my team to
see me in the same light. Lisa Habersack, Writer
6. Remember that a job, even a great job or a fantastic career,

doesn’t give your life meaning, at least not by itself. Life is about
what you learn, who you are or can become, who you love and are
loved by.Fran Dorf, Author and Psychotherapist
7. If the career you have chosen has some unexpected

inconvenience, console yourself by reflecting that no career is
without them. Jane Fonda
On Advancing Your Career

8. Every year or two, spend some time really thinking about your
career. Go out and warm up your network, check out new
opportunities, and do some salary comparisons. You make smarter
career decisions when you have real data. Also, if you are afraid or
uncomfortable, you are probably onto something awesome! Fear
means you are growing your comfort zone. Christie Mims, Career
Coach
9. Don't be afraid to speak up in a meeting or to schedule a sit down

with a colleague or boss—whether to hash out details on a project
or deal with a sensitive situation. When it comes to having your
ideas heard, or to really connecting with co-workers, never
underestimate the power of face time and the importance of in-
person communication. Catherine Straut, Assistant Editor of Elle
10. You’re setting yourself up for failure if you’re not preparing for
an eventual promotion right now. Even if the next step in your
career seems far off, you should be taking advantage of training
and professional development courses and looking for ways to
pitch in and expand your current role. Otherwise, even when the
opportunity comes up, you won’t be ready to take advantage of
it. Avery Augustine, Writer
11. Take criticism or "feedback" for what it is: a gift given to you to
make you better at what you do. Don't concern yourself with the
person or the method of delivery. Instead, glean out the teachable
nuggets and move on. Michelle Bruno, President of Bruno Group
Signature Events
12. I know. You’ve heard it a thousand times: Dress for the job you
want, not the one you’ve got. But I think this message goes far
beyond the clothes you wear every day: It’s how you present
yourself in meetings and at office events, how you interact with
staff both above and below you, and how seriously you take your
work. Adrian Granzella Larssen, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Muse
13. In chaos, there is opportunity. Most major career accelerations

happen when someone steps into a mess and makes a
difference. Kristi Hedges, Leadership Coach
14. Work harder than everyone under you or above you. Nothing
commands respect more than a good work ethic. This means being
the first one at the event in the morning and the last one to leave in
the evening. No one said this gig was easy. Keith Johnston, Event
Consultant at Plannerwire
15. When you’re offered a big opportunity, consider it carefully—

even if it scares the heck out of you. In the end, high risk often
leads to high reward. But if you turn down every opportunity that
comes your way, you won’t even have the chance to
succeed. Avery Augustine, Writer
On Excelling in Your Career

16. I first heard Zig Ziglar say it when people challenged him on his
“positive attitude” manifesto: “You can do anything with a positive
attitude better than you can do it with a negative one." Lea
McLeod, Career Coach
17. Work hard and be nice to people. It’s a very simple motto I try to
live by daily. Marie Burns, Recruiting Leader at Compete
18. There’s never going to be a precisely right moment to speak,

share an idea, or take a chance. Just take the moment—don’t let
thoughts like "I don’t feel like I’m ready" get in the way. Look to see
if you have the main things or the opportunity will pass you by. Don’t
let perfect get in the way of really, really good. Kathleen Tierney,
Executive Vice President and COO of Chubb Insurance
19. "Find a way to say yes to things. Say yes to invitations to a new
country, say yes to meet new friends, say yes to learn something
new. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job, and your
spouse, and even your kids." Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of
Google
20. No matter what your dream job is, you’ll likely hear “no” many
times before you achieve your goals. Just accept that as a
fact. But by refusing to accept that “no,” you’ll separate yourself
from the pack. Sometimes you just have to outlast the competition
—and wear down your boss! Shannon Bream, Supreme Court
Correspondent at FOX
21. Tenacity and persistence—nothing beats it. Even if your talent

isn’t there yet, you can always develop it to what it will eventually
be. But people who are persistent and tenacious and driven and
have a really clear, defined goal of what they want, nothing
compares to that. Not giving up is really huge. Catt Sadler, Anchor
at E!
22. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.
No one got to where they are today without help along the way.
Don't be afraid to ask, and then remember to return the
favor. Elliott Bell, Director of Marketing of The Muse
23. Even if you aren’t feeling totally sure of yourself and your
abilities, it’s important you present yourself otherwise. That means
shifting your body language to portray confidence. So, while you
may be so nervous before your big interview or meeting that you
want to curl into a ball, resist the temptation to cower or make
yourself smaller, and walk in with your head held high. Michele
Hoos, Writer
24. My advice for everyone in the industry is to find a mentor and to

be a mentor. You'll learn a great deal from both of these
experiences, and make sure to leverage these roles for networking.
Ask your mentor for introductions, and introduce the person that
you're mentoring to others—both will increase your visibility in the
industry. Mariela McIlwraith, President at Meeting Change
25. I live by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the impact can be done with 20%
of the work. It's the last 20% that takes up the most time. Know
when to stop, and when things are close enough. Alex Cavoulacos,
COO at The Muse
26. Having a strong network adds to your value as an employee. In

other words, the more people I can reach out to for help, the more
valuable I am. Hannah Morgan, Founder of Career Sherpa
27. Do what you say you're going to do. Danielle LaPorte,

Entrepreneur
28. One of the most important things I’ve found is the importance of

playing to your strengths. I think it’s common for us to learn while in
school that if you get an A+ in writing and a C- in math, that you
should focus your time and attention to getting better at math. In
the working world I find it to be the opposite; by putting your focus
on those things that you are strongest at, over time you will become
an expert at it. By outsourcing your weaknesses to others who
excel in those areas, you’ll be able cover those weaknesses better
than you could have otherwise. Trying to be great at everything
could be spreading yourself thin and keeping you from reaching your
full potential in your strongest areas.Ryan Kahn, Career Coach
On Starting Your Own Business
29. I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that a lot of people
have a lot of ideas that they’d like to turn into businesses—but if
your ideas don’t turn into actual money, then you’re not able to turn
it into a business. You have to be able to generate revenue first and
foremost. A lot of people have conceptual ideas and conceptual
dreams, and you just have to be able to distinguish between what is
a hobby and what is a passion and what you can actually turn into a
business. Emily Cavalier, Founder of Midnight Brunch
30. No matter what you do, you’ll make it through. What doesn’t kill
you makes you stronger. The thing they don’t tell you is that it
nearly kills you. Tyler Arnold, Founder of SimplySocial Inc.
31. Early on in my career, I was determined to be independent and

create my own success, and I thought this meant learning
everything on my own. The reality is, you can’t always be an expert
at everything, so surround yourself with brilliant, creative
people and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Humility is key to
success, especially in your early years. Ivanka Trump
32. I wish I knew that working smarter, not harder, is essential to

surviving as an entrepreneur. You can get by working hard in the
corporate world, but you won’t last long in small business
ownership without working smart. Andrew Schrage, Partner and
Editor-in-Chief of Money Crashers Personal Finance
33. Don’t let fear be the reason you don’t launch your new business.
When have you ever felt fully ready to do anything this important in
your life? All you can do is prepare as much as humanly possible,
know that you’ve done all you can for your baby to shine, and send it
out into the world. Megan Broussard, Founder of ProfessionGal
34. Remember all those stories you’ve heard of how the most
successful entrepreneurs in the world made it to where they are
now? Well, most of them started with different jobs or interests and
amounts of money in the bank. The one thing they had in common is
an unyielding commitment to doing whatever it was that needed to
be done in order to make their dream a reality. Danielle Mund, Life
Coach
35. If you’re serious about building a great, enduring company, you

have to be willing to sacrifice some things. A vacation in the first
year is likely going to be one of those things, so take one before you
start! Ronnie Castro, Founder of Porch
36. If you are like me and follow many relevant business people, you
often see tweets like "5 things to avoid when starting your
business" or similar posts. You may even read them. But here’s the
thing: None of that matters. Every journey is different. No two things
work exactly the same. You will make mistakes. Embrace the fact
that you made the mistake, learn from it, move on, and never repeat
it. John Jackovin, Founder of Bawte
37. Be confident, don’t doubt yourself, and go for it. If you are sure
there is an opportunity, you need to believe wholeheartedly in it—
your team won’t be driven to succeed unless you are. Kellee Khalil,
Founder of Loverly
On Doing What You Love

38. Don’t sweat it. Don’t beat yourself up about it. It’ll probably be
scary or uncomfortable, but you always get to make a new choice if
this one doesn’t work out. Steve Errey, Career Coach
39. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s

life…have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition. They
somehow already know what you truly want to become.” These
words, spoken by Steve Jobs during his 2005 Stanford
commencement address, guide me on a regular basis. Michael
Terrell, Founder, Terrell Leadership Group
40. Having an evolving bucket list or a career path that defies

logic is 100% OK. After spending years envying the neatly defined
careers of my friends, I came to the better-late-than-never
conclusion that I wasn’t wired that way... Once I stopped fighting
who I was and relaxed into the idea that different was okay, all the
possibilities before me were exciting, not stressful. I love what I’m
doing now, but I also know that I’ll probably have multiple careers
throughout my lifetime. Kacey Crawford, Career Coach
41. When you need the courage to be bold, simply ask yourself,

“What’s the worst that could possibly happen?” When you have the
answer, ask, “Can I live with that?” And if the answer is yes, then
take a leap! Cindy Bates, Vice President of Small and Mid-Sized
Businesses at Microsoft
42. If you really want to know where you destiny lies, look at where
you apply your time. Time is the most valuable asset you don’t own.
You may or may not realize it yet, but how you use or don’t use your
time is going to be the best indication of where your future is going
to take you... Don’t follow your passions, follow your effort. It will
lead you to your passions and to success, however you define
it. Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur
43. Ultimately, you won’t really know what you love to do unless you
actually bite the bullet. Until you give it a go, it’s really just
speculation. So, whether you take a small step like signing up for a
class or you dive head-first into entrepreneurship, roll up your
sleeves and do it. You’ll never know until you try. Ruth Zive, Writer
44. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you
haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. Steve Jobs
45. Life's too short to be stuck in a job you hate. Kathryn Minshew,

CEO of The Muse
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE: GUIDE | FINDING YOUR PASSION
The 11 Best Career Quizzes

to Help You Find Your Dream
Job
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been a little too sucked

into the BuzzFeed quiz sensation. And while those goofy little tests
are a fun distraction, what if we told you that you could spend your
time taking quizzes that are actually beneficial to your career?
We’ve gathered some of the best career assessments and

personality quizzes on the web. Whether you need help finding the
right path for you or want to learn a little more about your working
style to help you improve the job you already have, there’s sure to
be a quiz for you. And while no test is likely to be able to tell you
exactly what your dream career might be, these can certainly help
point you in the right direction.
1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Cost: $49.95 or free online knock-off
Applicable across all areas of your life, the MBTI is probably one of
the most used assessments by career centers and managers alike.
The MBTI gives you a sense of your personality preferences: where
you get your energy, how you like to take in information, how you
make decisions, and what kind of structure you like in the world
around you. While these preferences can certainly point tocareers
that might suit you well, they can also give you a lot of valuable
information about what kind of workplaces might be best for you,
what your working preferences are, and how you can best relate to
others at the office. If you don’t want to pay to take the official test,
you can take a pretty good (and free) online version here.
2. Self-Directed Search
Cost: $9.95
The Self-Directed Search (SDS) is built with the idea that people and
jobs can be categorized into six different types: realistic,
investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, or conventional. After
answering questions about your aspirations, activities, interests,
and the like, you’ll receive the three types that best fit you, along
with a list of careers that generally fit people with a mix of those
types.
3. My Next Move O*NET Interests Profiler

Cost: Free
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this tool uses a method
similar to Self-Directed Search to help you identify where your
career interests lie, then points you towards career paths that
might feed those interests. The results section even has the option
to search different careers by how much preparation is necessary to
get into them, meaning you can find options that are a fit to your
current skill level.
4. MyPlan.com
Cost: Free - $19.95
MyPlan.com offers a suite of four different tests to help you find

your perfect career and measure your career personality (similar to
the MBTI), interests, skills, and desired values (the only free test on
the site). You can learn things from each test individually (for
example, the career values test will give you a sense of what to
look for in a new position in order to find meaning), but the site also
offers a service that takes the results of all the tests you take to
help you find a job that matches your profile.
5. Pymetrics
Cost: Free
Pymetrics uses a series of simple (yet surprisingly challenging)

mind games to measure different cognitive and social traits (think
your level of risk aversion or your attention span). The results detail
your strengths and weaknesses, which can give you some hints into
what kinds of roles you might excel in.
6. The MAPP™ Career Assessment Test

Cost: Free sample, $89.95 for full results
The MAPP test is perhaps one of the most comprehensive

assessments out there, giving you a narrative report talking about
what sorts of tasks you like best, how you like to perform them, and
how you deal with people, data, things, reasoning, and language.
The assessment also provides a list of 20 possible career areas for
you. As part of the free sample, you’ll receive information about your
top trait in each category, as well as 10 possible career areas, so
even if you don’t feel like paying, you can still get some valuable
insights.
7. Career Strengths Test

Cost: Free
This collection of activities, developed by Johnson O’Connor

Research Foundation for Oprah, will test your strength level in a
variety of different skills, from inductive reasoning to structural
visualizaion. If you do well, you can see which jobs require that skill
—and get a sense of what types of careers might be a fit for your
abilities.
8. StrengthsQuest
Cost: $9.95
StrengthsQuest gives you a sense of what you’re already great at—

and how you can use those skills to better your career. After taking
the test, you’ll get a customized report that lists your top five talent
themes, along with action items using those talents to your
advantage and suggestions about how you can achieve academic,
career, and personal success.
9. The Big Five Personality Test
Cost: Free
Learn more about how you work and relate to others with this quick
test. You’ll get information on how open to new experiences you
are, how self-disciplined you are, how extraverted you are, how
agreeable you are, and how you handle stressful situations.
10. Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator

Cost: Free sampler or $10 full test
This test tells you which of the eight Enneagram types you are most
like: the reformer, the helper, the achiever, the individualist, the
investigator, the loyalist, the enthusiast, the challenger, or the
peacemaker. Understanding more about your type can not only help
you get along better with your co-workers, but can also give you
hints about characteristics you need in a career in order for it to be
fulfilling.
11. What Career Should You Actually Have?

Cost: Free
Okay, this BuzzFeed quiz probably won’t give you

many real insights. But if you only have a few minutes and need a
break from the workday? It’s the perfect “productive” distraction.
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE: EMAIL CLASS | RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
How to Get a Job Using

Social Media
In Collaboration With Mashable SHOW ME
MORE »
Most employers are using social media to recruit now, which means
it should be a big time part of your job search strategy. In this email
class, in partnership with digital powerhouse Mashable, you’ll learn
how to establish your social brand, network with people online,
identify job opportunities via social media, and turn those leads into
real-life job opportunities.
Sign Up
Class Syllabus
Duration: 5 Days
Number of Lessons: 5
Day 1: The Basics of Establishing Your Social Brand
Before you start searching, you need to put your best foot forward.
Today, you’ll get the scoop on creating a branded, professional
online presence that’ll wow potential employers.
Day 2: Get Relevant Online

Now that you have amazing social profiles, it’s time to start creating
a persona that will showcase who you really are. Learn how to
interact online (the right way!) with people and companies in your
world.
Day 3: Start Searching for a Job
These days, 92% of companies are using social media at some point
in their hiring process. In this class, you’ll see how to take
advantage of that to identify job openings and dream companies.
Day 4: How to Reach Out to People
Met some great people and found some amazing companies online?
Great. Here’s how to reach out and make actual connections.
Day 5: From Online to IRL
The key to landing a job is turning your online connection into a

real-life interview. And in this final class, we’ll show you how to do
just that.
In Collaboration With Mashable
Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the
Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital
innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world.
Mashable's 34 million monthly unique visitors and 17 million social media
followers have become one of the most engaged digital networks in the
world.
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE: GUIDE | RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
31 Attention-Grabbing Cover
Letter Examples
Traditional cover letter wisdom tells you to start a cover letter with
something to the effect of:
Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to apply for the position of Marketing Manager with the
Thomas Company.
We say: The days of cookie cutter cover letter intros are long gone.
Here’s the thing: Your cover letter is the best way to introduce to
the hiring manager who you are, what you have to offer, and why
you want the job—but you have an extremely limited amount of time
to do all of those things. So, if you really want to get noticed, you’ve
got to start right off the bat with something that grabs your reader’s
attention.
What do we mean? Well, we won’t just tell you, we’ll show you—with
31 examples of original cover letter introductions. We don’t
recommend copying and pasting them because, well, your cover
letter should be unique to your stories, background, and interests,
but you can most definitely use them to get inspired for your next
application.
(Want even more help? Sign up for our free cover letter writing
guide.)
Start With a Passion

Many companies say that they’re looking for people who not only
have the skills to do the job, but who are truly passionate about
what they’re spending their time on every day. If that’s what your
dream company is really looking for (hint: read the job description),
try an intro that shows off why you’re so excited to be part of the
team.
1. If truly loving data is wrong, I don’t want to be right. It seems

like the rest of the team at Chartbeat feels the same way—and
that’s just one of the reasons why I think I’d be the perfect next
hire for your sales team.
2. I’ve been giving my friends and family free style advice since I
was 10, and recently decided it’s time I get paid for it. That’s why I
couldn’t believe it when I found a personal stylist position at J.
Hilburn.
3. After about three years of trying out different roles at early-
stage startups around San Francisco, watching more “find your
passion” keynotes than I’d like to admit, and assuring my parents
that, yes, I really do have a real job, I’m starting to come to terms
with the fact that I’m only really good at two things: writing great
content and getting it out into the world.
4. When I was growing up, all I wanted to be was one of those
people who pretend to be statues on the street. Thankfully, my
career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years,
but I love to draw a crowd and entertain the masses—passions that
make me the perfect community manager.
5. When I graduated from Ohio State last May, my career
counselor gave me what I consider to be some pretty bad advice:
“Just get any job, and figure the rest out later.” While I think I could
have gained good transferrable skills and on-the-job experience
anywhere, I wanted to make sure my first step gave me
opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and
rotations through different departments. Enter: Verizon.
6. The other day, I took a career assessment, which told me I
should be a maritime merchant. I’m not quite sure what that is, but
it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business
development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my
absolute dream. Which is how I found this role at Royal Caribbean.
Start With Your Love for the Company

Similarly, many companies want to hire people who already know,
love, eat, and sleep their brand. And in these cases, what better to
kick off your cover letter than a little flattery? Bonus points if you
can tell a story—studies show that stories are up to 22 times more
memorable than facts alone.
Of course, remember when you’re telling a company why you love it

to be specific and genuine. Because, um, no one likes an overly
crazed fangirl.
7. I pretty much spent my childhood in the cheap seats at Cubs
games, snacking on popcorn and cheering on the team with my
grandfather. It’s that passion that’s shaped my career—from helping
to establish the sports marketing major at my university to leading a
college baseball team to an undefeated season as assistant coach—
and what led me to apply for this position at the Chicago Cubs.
8. Most candidates are drawn to startups for the free food, bean
bag chairs, and loose dress code. And while all of those things
sound awesome coming from my all-too-corporate cubicle, what
really attracted me to Factual is the collaborative, international
team.
9. It was Rudy, my Golden Retriever, who first found the
operations assistant opening (he’s really excited about the prospect
of coming to work with me every day). But as I learned more about
Zoosk and what it is doing to transform the mobile dating space, I
couldn’t help but get excited to be part of the team, too.
10. When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I
grew up. I eventually realized that wasn’t an option, but you can
imagine my excitement when I came across the events manager
position, which would have me working side by side with my
favorite company mascot.
11. When I attended Austin Film Festival for the first time last
month, I didn’t want to leave. So I decided I shouldn’t—and
immediately went to check out job openings at the company.
12. If I could make the NYC apartment rental process better for
just one person, I would feel like the horrors of my recent search
would all be worth it. So, a customer service role at RentHop,
where I could do it every day? I can’t think of anything more
fulfilling.
13. Having grown up with the Cincinnati Zoo (literally) in my
backyard, I understand firsthand how you’ve earned your reputation
as one of the most family-friendly venues in the State of Ohio. For 20
years, I’ve been impressed as your customer; now I want to impress
visitors in the same way your team has so graciously done for me.
(Via @JobJenny)
14. I was an hour out from my first big dinner party when I realized
I had forgotten to pick up the white wine. In a panic, I started
Googling grocery delivery services, and that’s when I first stumbled
across Instacart. I’ve been hooked ever since, so I couldn’t help but
get excited by the idea of bringing the amazingness of Instacart to
shoddy planners like me as your next social media and community
manager.
15. Though I’m happily employed as a marketing manager for OHC,
seeing the job description forWarby Parker’s PR director stopped
me in my tracks. I’ve been a Warby glasses wearer for many years,
and have always been impressed by the way the company treats its
customers, employees, and the community at large.
Start With an Attribute or Accomplishment

The unfortunate reality of the job hunting process is that, for any
given job, you’re going to be competing with a lot of other people—
presumably, a lot of other similarly qualified people. So, a great way
to stand out in your cover letter is to highlight something about
yourself—a character trait, an accomplishment, a really impressive
skill—that’ll quickly show how you stand out among other
applications.
16. My last boss once told me that my phone manner could

probably diffuse an international hostage situation. I’ve always had
a knack for communicating with people—the easygoing and the
difficult alike—and I’d love to bring that skill to the office manager
position at Shutterstock.
17. Among my colleagues, I’m known as the one who can pick up
the pieces, no matter what amount of you-know-what hits the fan.
Which is why I think there’s no one better to fillBirchbox’s customer
service leader position.
18. Last December, I ousted our company’s top salesperson from
his spot—and he hasn’t seen it since. Which means, I’m ready for my
next big challenge, and the sales manager role at LivingSocial just
might be it.
19. After spending three years managing the internal
communications for a 2,000-person company, I could plan a
quarterly town hall or draft an inter-office memo in my sleep. What I
want to do next? Put that experience to work consulting executives
on their communications strategy.
20. While you won’t find the title “community manager” listed on
my resume, I’ve actually been bringing people together online and
off for three years while running my own blog and series of Meetups.
21. If you’re looking for someone who can follow orders to the T
and doesn’t like to rock the boat, I’m probably not the right
candidate. But if you need someone who can dig in to data, see
what’s working (and what’s not), and challenge the status quo, let’s
talk.
22. Ever since my first job at Dairy Queen (yes, they DO let you eat
the ice cream!) I’ve been career-focused. I completed my first
internship with a professional football team while I was still in
college. I was hired full-time as soon as I graduated, and within six
months I was promoted into a brand new department. I thought I
knew it all. But as I’ve progressed in my career, I finally realized…I
absolutely do not. Shocker, right? Enter The
Muse. (Via @Kararuns729)
23. You might be wondering what a 15-year veteran of the
accounting world is doing applying to an operations role at a food
startup like ZeroCater. While I agree the shift is a little strange, I
know you’re looking for someone who’s equal parts foodie and
financial guru, and I think that means I’m your guy.
24. Over the last 10 years, I’ve built my career on one simple
principle: Work smarter. I’m the person who looks for inefficient
procedures, finds ways to streamline them, and consistently strives
to boost the productivity of everyone around me. It’s what’s earned
me three promotions in the supply chain department at my current
company, and it’s what I know I can do as the new operations
analyst for SevOne.
Start With Humor or Creativity

OK, before you read any of these, we feel we have to stamp them
with a big disclaimer: Do your homework before trying anything like
this—learning everything you can about the company, the hiring
manager, and whether or not they’ll appreciate some sass or snark.
If they do, it’s a great way to make them smile (then call you). If
they don’t? Well, better luck next time.
25. I’m interested in the freelance writer position. But before I

blow you away with all the reasons I’m going to be your next writer,
I would like to tell you a little about myself: I didn’t grow hair until I
was about five years old, which made everyone who crossed my
stroller’s path believe me to be a boy (my name is Casey, which
definitely didn’t help). Hope I got your attention. (Via@CaseCav)
26. Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a
status update on how your job search is going, and then sounding
incredulous that not more progress has been made since the last
phone call? That’s my life right now. But I’m hoping that soon my life
will revolve around being your full-time social media manager. The
good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing
mom. Let me tell you more.
27. Thank you so much for offering me the marketing manager
position at Airbnb! I wholeheartedly accept. OK, I know we’re not
quite there yet. But if we were, here are just a few ideas of what I
would do once in the role.
28. You’ve slept on it. You’ve made lists of pros and cons. You’ve
talked to your life coach, your hairdresser, and every barista on your
block. So why haven’t you made your decision yet? When you’re
looking for advice, what you need is not more, but better. If you’re
constantly plagued with tough career decisions and presentation-
day butterflies, you need an advocate, a listener, and sometimes, a
kick in the pants. You need Rachel Elizabeth
Maley. (Via@RE_Maley)
29. I considered submitting my latest credit card statement as
proof of just how much I love online shopping, but I thought a safer
approach might be writing this cover letter, describing all the
reasons why I’m the girl who can take STYLIGHT’s business to the
next level.
30. I never thought that accidentally dropping my iPhone out of a
second story window would change my life (it’s a funny story—ask
me about it). But thanks to my misfortune, I discovered iCracked—
and found my dream job as an expansion associate.
31. If we were playing “Two Truths and a Lie,” I’d say the
following: I’ve exceeded my sales quotas by at least 20% every
quarter this year, I once won an international pie-eating contest,
and I have an amazing job at Yext. The last, of course, is the lie.
For now.
Have you seen an amazing way to start a cover letter? Share it in

the comments section!
Photo of coffee mug and desk courtesy of Shutterstock.
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE: GUIDE | RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
43 Resume Tips That Will

Help You Get Hired
Sponsored by Elevated Resumes SHOW ME
MORE »
When you haven’t updated your resume in a while, it can be hard to

know where to start. What experiences and accomplishments
should you include for the jobs you’ve got your eye on? What new
resume rules and trends should you be following? And seriously, one
page or two?
Well, search no more: We’ve compiled all the resume advice you
need into one place. Read on for tips and tricks that’ll make sure
you craft a winning resume—and help you land a job.
Telling Your Story

1. Don’t Put Everything on There
Your resume should not have every work experience you’ve ever
had listed on it. Think of your resume not as a comprehensive list of
your career history, but as a marketing document selling you as the
perfect person for the job. For each resume you send out, you’ll
want to highlight only the accomplishments and skills that are most
relevant to the job at hand (even if that means you don’t include all
of your experience). Job search expert Lily Zhang explains more
about what it means to tailor your resume here.
2. But Keep a Master List of All Jobs
Since you’ll want to be swapping different information in and out

depending on the job you’re applying to, keep a resume master list
on your computer where you keep any information you’ve ever
included on a resume: old positions, bullet points tailored for
different applications, special projects that only sometimes make
sense to include. Then, when you’re crafting each resume, it’s just a
matter of cutting and pasting relevant information together. Think of
this as your brag file.
3. Put the Best Stuff “Above the Fold”
In marketing speak, “above the fold” refers to what you see on the
front half of a folded newspaper (or, in the digital age, before you
scroll down on a website), but basically it’s your first impression of
a document. In resume speak, it means you should make sure your
best experiences and accomplishments are visible on the top third
of your resume. This top section is what the hiring manager is going
to see first—and what will serve as a hook for someone to keep on
reading. So focus on putting your best, most relevant experiences
first—and then check out these five other marketing tricks to get
your resume noticed.
4. Ditch the Objective Statement
According to Zhang, the only occasion when an objective section

makes sense is when you’re making a huge career change and need
to explain from the get-go why your experience doesn’t match up
with the position you’re applying to. In every other case?
Consider whether a summary statement would be right for you—or
just nix it altogether to save space and focus on making the rest of
your resume stellar.
5. Keep it (Reverse) Chronological
There are lots of different ways to organize the information on your

resume, but the good old reverse chronological (where your most
recent experience is listed first) is still your best bet. Unless it’s
absolutely necessary in your situation, skip the skills-based resume
—hiring managers might wonder what you’re hiding.
6. Keep it to a Page
The two- (or more!) page resume is a hotly debated topic, but the
bottom line is this—you want the information here to be concise,
and making yourself keep it to one page is a good way to force
yourself to do this. If you truly have
enough relevant and important experience, training, and
credentials to showcase on more than one page of your resume,
then go for it. But if you can tell the same story in less space? Do. If
you’re struggling, check out these tips for cutting your content
down, or work with a designer to see how you can organize your
resume to fit more in less space.
7. Consider an Online Supplement

Can’t figure out how to tell your whole story on one page, or want to
be able to include some visual examples of your work? Instead of
trying to have your resume cover everything, cover the most
important details on that document, and then include a link to your
personal website, where you can dive more into what makes you
the ideal candidate.
Formatting
8. Keep it Simple
We’ll talk about getting creative in order to stand out in a minute.

But the most basic principle of good resume formatting and design?
Keep it simple. Use a basic but modern font, like Helvetica, Arial, or
Century Gothic. Make your resume easy on hiring managers’ eyes by
using a font size between 10 and 12 and leaving a healthy amount of
white space on the page. You can use a different font or typeface
for your name, your resume headers, and the companies for which
you’ve worked, but keep it simple and keep it consistent. Your main
focus here should be on readability for the hiring manager. That
being said, you should feel free to…
9. Carefully Stand Out
Really want your resume stand out from the sea of Times New
Roman? Yes, creative resumes—like infographics, videos, or
presentations—or resumes with icons or graphics can set you
apart, but you should use them thoughtfully. If you’re applying
through an ATS, keep to the standard formatting without any bells
and whistles so the computer can read it effectively. If you’re
applying to a more traditional company, don’t get too crazy, but feel
free to add some tasteful design elements or a little color to make it
pop. No matter what, don’t do it unless you’re willing to put in the
time, creativity, and design work to make it awesome, or get help
from a professional.
What does a “tastefully designed” resume look like? Check these

examples from Elevated Resumes, which will catch a hiring
manager’s eye without being distracting or unprofessional.
10. Make Your Contact Info Prominent
You don’t need to include your address on your resume anymore

(really!), but you do need to make sure to include a phone number
and professional email address (not your work address!) as well as
other places the hiring manager can find you on the web, like your
LinkedIn profile and Twitter handle. (Implicit in this is that you keep
these social media profiles suitable for prospective employers.)
11. Design for Skimmability
You’ve heard before that hiring managers don’t spend a lot of time
on each individual resume. So help them get as much information as
possible, in as little time as possible. These 12 small formatting
changes will make a huge difference.
12. Get Help From a Professional
Know that design skills aren’t your strong suit but want your resume
to look stunning? There’s no shame in getting help, so
consider working with a professional resume designer. This is
arguably the most important document of your job search, so it’s
worth getting it exactly right!
Work Experience
13. Keep it Recent, Keep it Relevant

As a rule, you should only show the most recent 10-15 years of your
career history and only include the experience relevant to the
positions to which you are applying. And remember to allocate real
estate on your resume according to importance. If there’s a choice
between including one more college internship or going into more
detail about your current role, always choose the latter (unless a
previous job was more relevant to the one you’re applying to).
14. No Relevant Experience? No Worries!
Don’t panic if you don’t have any experience that fits the bill.
Instead, Zhang explains, focus your resume on your relevant and
transferrable skills along with any related side or academic
projects, and then make sure to pair it with a strong cover letter
telling the narrative of why you’re ideal for the job.
15. Curate Your Bullet Points
No matter how long you’ve been in a job, or how much you’ve

accomplished there, you shouldn’t have more than five or six bullets
in a given section. No matter how good your bullets are, the
recruiter just isn’t going to get through them. Check out these tips
for writing impressive bullet points.
16. Bring it Down a Level
You may be tempted to throw in tons of industry jargon so you

sound like you know what you’re talking about, but ultimately you
want your resume to be understandable to the average person.
Remember that the first person who sees your resume might be a
recruiter, an assistant, or even a high-level executive—and you want
to be sure that it is readable, relevant, and interesting to all of
them.
17. Give ’Em the Numbers
Use as many facts, figures, and numbers as you can in your bullet
points. How many people were impacted by your work? By what
percentage did you exceed your goals? By quantifying your
accomplishments, you really allow the hiring manager to picture the
level of work or responsibility you needed to achieve them. Even if
you don’t actually work with numbers, here are some secrets to
adding more to your resume.
18. Take it One Step Further
People hire performers, so you want to show that you didn’t just do
stuff, but that you got stuff done! As you look at your bullet points,
think about how you can take each statement one step further and
add in what the benefit was to your boss or your company. By doing
this, you clearly communicate not only what you’re capable of, but
also the direct benefit the employer will receive by hiring you. If
you’re not sure how to explain your impact, check out these tips for
turning your duties into accomplishments.
19. Show—Don’t Tell—Your Soft Skills
Describing soft skills on a resume often starts to sound like a list of

meaningless buzzwords, fast. But being a “strong leader” or an
“effective communicator” are important characteristics you want to
get across. Think about how you can demonstrate these attributes
in your bullet points without actually saying them. Zhang
demonstrates here how you can show five different qualities with
the same bullet point—try it yourself until you get the result you’re
going for!
20. Don’t Neglect Non-Traditional Work
There’s no law that says you can only put full-time or paid work on
your resume. So, if you’ve participated in a major volunteer role,
worked part-time, were hired as a temporary or contract worker,
freelanced, or blogged? Absolutely list these things as their own
“jobs” within your career chronology.
21. Mix Up Your Word Use
If every bullet in your resume starts with “Responsible for,” readers

will get bored very quickly. Useour handy list of better verbs to mix
it up!
22. Use Keywords
Use keywords in your resume: Scan the job description, see what
words are used most often, and make sure you’ve included them in
your bullet points. Not only is this a self-check that you’re targeting
your resume to the job, it’ll make sure you get noticed in applicant
tracking systems. Stuck on which words to include? Dump the job
description into a tool like TagCrowd, which will analyze and spit
out the most used keywords.
23. Avoid Empty Words
What words shouldn’t you include? Detail-oriented, team player, and

hard worker—among othervague terms that recruiters say are
chronically overused. We bet there’s a better way to describe how
awesome you are.
Education
24. Experience First, Education Second
Unless you’re a recent graduate, put your education after your

experience. Chances are, your last couple of jobs are more
important and relevant to you getting the job than where you went
to college.
25. Also Keep it Reverse Chronological
Usually, you should lay down your educational background by listing

the most recent or advanced degree first, working in reverse
chronological order. But if older coursework is more specific to the
job, list that first to grab the reviewer’s attention.
26. But Skip the Dates
Don’t list your graduation dates. The reviewer cares more about
whether or not you have the degree than when you earned it.
27. Highlight Honors, Not GPA
If you graduated from college with high honors, absolutely make

note of it. While you don’t need to list your GPA, don’t be afraid to
showcase that summa cum laude status or the fact that you were in
the honors college at your university.
28. Include Continuing or Online Education
Don’t be afraid to include continuing education, professional

development coursework, or online courses in your education
section, especially if it feels a little light. Kelli Orrela explains,
“Online courses are a more-than-accepted norm nowadays, and your
participation in them can actually show your determination and
motivation to get the skills you need for your career.”
Skills, Awards, and Interests
29. List Out Your Skills
Be sure to add a section that lists out all the relevant skills you
have for a position, including tech skills like HTML and Adobe
Creative Suite and any industry-related certifications. Just make
sure to skip including skills that everyone is expected to have, like
using email or Microsoft Word. Doing so will actually make you
seem less technologically savvy.
30. Divvy Them Up
If you have lots of skills related to a position—say, foreign language,

software, and leadership skills—try breaking out one of those
sections and listing it on its own. Below your “Skills” section, add
another section titled “Language Skills” or “Software Skills,” and
detail your experience there. Again—we’re going for skimmability
here, folks!
31. Show Some Personality
Feel free to include an “Interests” section on your resume, but only

add those that are relevant to the job. Are you a guitar player with
your eye on a music company? Definitely include it. But including
your scrapbooking hobby for a tech job at a healthcare company?
Don’t even think about it.
32. Beware of Interests That Could Be Controversial
Maybe you help raise money for your church on the reg. Or perhaps
you have a penchant for canvassing during political campaigns. Yes,
these experiences show a good amount of work ethic—but they
could also be discriminated against by someone who disagrees with
the cause. Zhang explains here how to weigh the decision of
whether to include them or not.
33. Strut Your Stuff
Do include awards and accolades you’ve received, even if they’re

company-specific awards. Just state what you earned them for, e.g.,
“Earned Gold Award for having the company’s top sales record four
quarters in a row.” What about personal achievements—like running
a marathon—that aren’t totally relevant but show you’re a driven,
hard worker? Zhang shares the proper ways to include them.
Gaps and Other Sticky Resume Situations
34. Kill the Short-Term Jobs
If you stayed at a (non-temporary) job for only a matter of months,

consider eliminating it from your resume. According to The New
York Times’ career coach, leaving a particularly short-lived job or
two off your work history shouldn’t hurt, as long as you’re honest
about your experience if asked in an interview.
35. Deal with the Gaps
If you have gaps of a few months in your work history, don’t list the
usual start and end dates for each position. Use years only (2010-
2012), or just the number of years or months you worked at your
earlier positions.
36. Explain Serial Job Hopping
If you’ve job-hopped frequently, include a reason for leaving next to

each position, with a succinct explanation like “company closed,”
“layoff due to downsizing,” or “relocated to new city.” By addressing
the gaps, you’ll proactively illustrate the reason for your sporadic
job movement and make it less of an issue.
37. Explain a Long Break in Jobs
Re-entering the workforce after a long hiatus? This is the perfect

opportunity for a summary statement at the top, outlining your best
skills and accomplishments. Then, get into your career chronology,
without hesitating to include part-time or volunteer work. See more
tips from Jenny Fossfor killing it on your comeback resume.
38. Don’t Try to Get Cute
Don’t try to creatively fill in gaps on your resume. For example, if

you took time out of the workforce to raise kids, don’t list your
parenting experience on your resume, à la “adeptly managed the
growing pile of laundry” (we’ve seen it). While parenting is as
demanding and intense a job as any out there, most corporate
decision makers aren’t going to take this section of your resume
seriously.
Finishing Touches
39. Ditch “References Available Upon Request”
If a hiring manager is interested in you, he or she will ask you for

references—and will assume that you have them. There’s no need to
address the obvious (and doing so might even make you look a little
presumptuous!).
40. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
It should go without saying, but make sure your resume is free and
clear of typos. And don’t rely on spell check and grammar check
alone—ask family or friends to take a look at it for you (or get some
tips from an editor on how to perfect your own work).
41. Save it as a PDF
If emailing your resume, make sure to always send a PDF rather

than a .doc. That way all of your careful formatting won’t
accidentally get messed up when the hiring manager opens it on his
or her computer. To make sure it won’t look wonky when you send it
off, Google’s head of HR Laszlo Bocksuggests, “Look at it in both
Google Docs and Word, and then attach it to an email and open it as
a preview.”
42. Name Your File Smartly
Ready to save your resume and send it off? Save it as “Jane Smith
Resume” instead of “Resume.” It’s one less step the hiring manager
has to take.
43. Constantly Refresh It
Carve out some time every quarter or so to pull up your resume and
make some updates. Have you taken on new responsibilities?
Learned new skills? Add them in. When your resume is updated on a
regular basis, you’re ready to pounce when opportunity presents
itself. And, even if you’re not job searching, there are plenty of good
reasons to keep this document in tip-top shape.
Photos of falling paper and wood background courtesy of Shutterstock.
Sponsored by Elevated Resumes
With an Elevated Resume, you’ll rise to the top. These expert-designed
resumes will boost your confidence, impress your contacts, and outdo the
competition. Elevated Resume products provide the edge you need in today’s
job market. The company works with each customer to produce a resume he
or she loves—in fact, all of its reviews are five stars!Learn more here. You
can also follow Elevated Resumes on Facebook and Twitter.
50 (Cheap!) Professional
Development Classes
Anyone Can Take
By The Daily Muse Editor
Have you ever wanted to boost your professional skills but been
held back for one reason or another? Maybe your department
doesn’t have a training budget, and you can’t fathom the thought of
throwing down $500 for a class. Maybe you’re not sure where to find
the right class for you. Or maybe you’re simply overwhelmed by all
of the options!
Well, we’re leaving you with no excuses: This Professional
Development Month, we’ve updated our round-up of fantastic
classes, webinars, tutorials, and videos that’ll help you learn new
skills—whether you want to try your hand at programming, master
public speaking, or be a better leader to your team. Best of all,
they’re all under $200—and many are free!
All of the classes on our list are appropriate for just about anyone
who wants to learn about the topic (no fancy skills or special
experience required!). So, choose one or more, and get ready to get
to the next level in your career.
Career Classes

1. Managing Your Career: Lynda, Free with

membership
Want to build a rewarding career out of your interests, skills, and

experience? In this course, career expert Valerie Sutton guides you
through the process of proactively managing your career.
2. Build Your Personal Brand in 4 Easy Steps: Udemy,

$149
This course by personal branding guru Dan Schawbel will show you,
from start to finish, how to build a personal brand that you will be
proud of.
3. Land That Promotion: Muse University, Free

Looking to move up but aren’t sure how to start climbing that
ladder? Don’t worry: This two-week email class is full of strategies
that’ll set you up for success.
4. Career Academy: Eat Your Career, $27/month
The Career Academy is a one-of-a-kind career “school” that teaches

you everything you need to know to get ahead and achieve the
career success you deserve.
5. How to Get a Job Using Social Media: Muse

University, Free
In this email class, in partnership with digital powerhouse

Mashable, you’ll learn how to establish your social brand, network
with people online, and identify job opportunities via social media.
Communication Classes

6. Heroic Public Speaking: CreativeLive, $99
In this series of 23 videos, two public speaking experts will teach

you a system for engaging, persuading, and inspiring your audience,
no matter the size.
7. On-Camera Training: Mediabistro, $179
Learn how to prepare for live and taped media appearances,

address interview questions clearly, and ensure that you look and
sound your best on-screen in this self-paced course.

8. Negotiation Fundamentals: Lynda, Free with

membership
Coach, negotiation expert, and Daily Muse columnist Lisa Gates

shares strategies for asking for a raise, setting fees, promoting
teamwork, and bringing out the best in those you manage.
9. Pitching Projects and Products to Executives:

Lynda, Free with membership
In this 45-minute course, author Dane Howard interviews executives

from Google, Apple, and Adobe who share their take on how to
effectively move projects and product ideas forward.
10. The Secrets of Body Language, Udemy, $49
Learn how to interpret the body language of the people around you
while perfecting your own non-verbal communication in this two-
hour video class.
Design Classes

11. Learn InDesign: Layouts, Type, and Images:

Skillshare, $20
Whether you want to develop marketing materials, design your own

resume, or just gain an understanding of the software, this class
will give you a solid understanding of how InDesign works.

12. Web Design Fundamentals: Lynda, Free with
membership
This course gives an overview of web design and development

techniques and technologies, fundamental concepts, terms, and
best practices involved in professional web design.
13. Wireframing: The First Steps of Web Design:

Skillshare, $20
To make a well-constructed, organized, and easy-to-use site, you

need to spend time planning out your content. Learn how to make
the most of this important step in web design with this self-paced
class.
14. Slides That Rock: Create an Awesome

Presentation About Your Company, Product, or
Service: Skillshare, $25
Perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to communicate more

effectively, this class will show you how to design attractive slides
that will make people stop and listen.
15. How to Design a Brand: CreatorUp, $40
Do you have a business, but no branding? Learn how to define your

brand strategy, discover your unique identity, conceptualize a
powerful logo, and utilize your branding effectively.
Entrepreneurship Classes

16. Entrepreneurship & Business Course: iTunes, Free
This comprehensive and highly ranked podcast series includes

expert advice on idea generation, company formation, funding,
business plans, marketing strategies, IPOs and acquisitions, and
more.
17. How to Build a Startup: Udacity, Free
Seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Blank shares the key

tools and steps to build a successful startup (or at least reduce the
risk of failure) in this eight-lesson class.
18. 21 Critical Lessons for Entrepreneurs: Udemy,

Free
Jason Nazar, CEO of Docstoc, shares important lessons learned

during his career, first by working with new companies, then from
starting his own successful business.
19. How to Develop a Venture-Worthy Business Model:

General Assembly, $25
Entrepreneur David Verchere demystifies what venture capitalists

are looking for in their investments and shares the first steps to
evaluating the profitability of your business model.
20. Minimum Viable Product: Launch Your Startup

Idea for Less Than 1K:Skillshare, Free
Whether you’re looking to launch a startup or open a restaurant,
you’ll learn how to quickly validate your ideas in this class from
Skillshare’s CEO Michael Karnjanaprakorn.
Management Classes

21. Having Difficult Conversations: Lynda, Free with

membership
Leadership coach and Lynda’s Director of Learning and

Development Britt Andreatta shares her tips and strategies for
having those tough conversations with your employees.
22. Management 101: Muse University, Free
From being a strong leader to dealing with those situations that

aren’t in your employee handbook, this month-long class (delivered
straight to your inbox!) will give you the tools you need to manage
like a boss.
23. What Great Bosses Know: iTunes, Free
This podcast series by the Poynter Institute’s Jill Geisler is chock-

full of management topics—big and small—that’ll help you get ahead
at work.
24. Managing Teams: Lynda, Free with membership

Full of practical tips and useful strategies, this course is a great
reference for first-time managers and for more experienced
managers who need to address a specific issue.
25. Managing for People Who Hate Managing:

American Management Association, Free
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to identify your strengths, find your
best management style, and adapt to your employees’ personalities
so that everyone can work better together.
Marketing Classes

26. Content Marketing for New Marketers: Create

Your First Content Strategy: General Assembly, Free
with membership
Whether you’re branding your business or yourself, learn how to use

content to your advantage.
27. Growth Hacking: Lean Marketing for Startups:

Udemy, $49
Whether you work for a startup or just have a startup-sized

marketing budget, learn how to grow your product from zero to
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28. Building an Integrated Online Marketing Plan:

Lynda, Free with membership
Learn how to integrate all the moving parts of a successful
marketing strategy—email, social media, search, and more—without
diluting your message in this three-hour video course.
29. SEO 101: Hubspot, Free
In this free webinar, you’ll learn the basics of optimizing your

website for search engines to drive more traffic and new leads.
30. How to Understand Your Buyers: 5 Insights for

Better Marketing: Online Marketing Institute, Free
In just 40 minutes, discover a practical way to get to the truth about

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Project Management & Productivity Classes

31. Up and Running With Basecamp: Lynda, Free with

membership
In this course, author Bonnie Biafore shows you how to manage

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32. Project Management: Essential Tools and

Techniques: Udemy, Free
Boost your proficiency in project management by learning tools and

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33. Project Management Best Practices: General

Assembly, $25
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idea of where you should focus your energy as a project manager.
34. How to Pick a Project Management App: General

Assembly, $25
Pivotal Tracker, Trello, Asana, Lighthouse, JIRA—this session will

look at a range of different project management apps, their
strengths and weaknesses, and how to pick between them.
35. Hack Your Work Life: Muse University, Free
Are you always wishing there was just a little more time in the day?
Sign up for this seven-day class and learn the secrets to unlocking
your uber-productive potential.
Tech Classes

36. Build a HTML and CSS Website From Scratch:

Skillshare, $40
Perfect for anyone with a website idea or an interest in learning

how to code, this self-paced class will give you the skills you need
to create your own site.

37. Google’s Python Class: Google, Free
A free, self-paced class for people with a little bit of programming

experience who want to learn Python.
38. The Django Book: Free
This site is the online version of The Django Book, a free book about
the Django Web framework for the Python programming language.
39. Rails for Zombies: Free
Learning Rails for the first time should be fun, and this course of
videos and exercises definitely is (seriously, you learn how to build
Twitter for Zombies).
40. JavaScript: CodeSchool, Free
Learn how to build lightweight applications in this powerful

scripting language through online lessons and screencasts.
41. Get Started Working With Git: Skillcrush, Free
Get started with developers’ favorite version-control and code-

sharing tool, GitHub, in this online tutorial.
42. Codecademy: Free
Codecademy is billed as "the easiest way to learn how to code."
The tutorials are interactive, fun, and you can do them with your
friends.
43. Getting Started With Google Analytics: Udemy,

Free
This Google Analytics training course will help you master the
basics and see what it takes to turbocharge your website
performance.
44. Program iPhone Apps: Become an iPhone

Developer: Skillshare, $49
Do you have an idea for a mobile app? Whether you’ve ever

programmed before or not, this class will help you create your app
from scratch.
45. Advanced Excel: Udemy, $99
Need to know more than the Excel basics? In this tutorial, you’ll
learn about Sparklines, Macros, Pivot Tables, and more.
Writing Classes

46. How to Write Killer Content for Your Website:

Ragan, $29.95
Learn from web content management guru Gerry McGovern how to

write and self-edit your website in this convenient toolkit.

47. Write Less, Say More: Produce Powerful Written

Communication:Udemy, $149
In this three-hour course, writer and editor Caroline McDevitt shares

her secrets to writing concise content and powerful messages.
48. Copy Editing: Mediabistro, $179
In this 12-session self-paced course, you’ll learn how to resolve

punctuation issues, spot and correct common errors, and craft
elegant sentences.
49. Personal Essay Writing for Digital Media: How to

Grab Your Readers’ Attention: Skillshare, $25
How to translate your story into the written word—and get it out
there in the world.
50. 8 Steps to Discovering and Creating Content Your

Audience Will Love: Online Marketing Institute, Free
How do you come up with ideas for content—and then consistently

create blogs, articles, and stories your audiences will love? This
video will show you how.
Photo of professional development materials courtesy of Shutterstock.

About The Author
The Daily Muse is the daily publication of The Muse, your ultimate career
destination that offers exciting job opportunities, expert advice, and a peek
behind the scenes into fantastic companies and career paths. Learn
more, contact us, and find us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
YALE UNIVERSITY
Introduction to Negotiation: A
Strategic Playbook for Becoming a
Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
About this Course
This course will help you be a better negotiator. Unlike many negotiation
courses, we develop a framework for analyzing and shaping negotiations. This
framework will allow you to make principled arguments that persuade others.
It will allow you to see beneath the surface of apparent conflicts to uncover
the underlying interests. You will leave the course better able to predict,
interpret, and shape the behavior of those you face in competitive situations.
In this course, you will have several opportunities to negotiate with other
students using case studies. You can get feedback on your performance and
compare what you did to how others approached the same scenario. The
cases also provide a setting to discuss a wide-ranging set of topics including
preparing for a negotiation, making ultimatums, avoiding regret, expanding
the pie, and dealing with someone who has a very different perspective on the
world. Advanced topics include negotiating when you have no power,
negotiating over email, and the role of gender differences in negotiation. To
close out the course, we will hear insights from two negotiation experts,
Linda Babcock and Herb Cohen. Enjoy.
Subtitles available in English
Instructors
Barry Nalebuff
Milton Steinbach Professor
Yale School of Management
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction / What is the Pie?
1. Welcome
2. A Framework for Negotiation
3. The Shapley Value
Week 2
Negotiation Caselets
1. The Merger Case

2. Putting it Together
3. Reservation Values / BATNA
4. The Ultimatum Game
5. Mastery Quiz for Module 1 – 2
1. Quiz: Mastery Quiz 1 – 2
Week 3
Zincit Case
1. Case Study
2. The Numbers
3. Zincit Debrief
4. What to Do
5. Mastery Quiz for Module 3
1. Quiz: Zincit Code

2. Assignment: Zincit Negotiation
3. Quiz: Mastery Quiz 3
Week 4
Outpsider Case
1. Case Study
2. The Numbers
3. Openings
4. What Not To Do
5. Dealing with Jerks
6. Testing Yourself
7. What To Do
1. Quiz: Outpsider Code

Week 5
Advanced Topics
1. Negotiating When You Have No Power

2. Negotiating Over Email
3. Game Theory and the SAT
4. Winning versus Succeeding
5. Rubinstein Bargaining
6. Tools For Breaking Deadlocks
7. Two Tales
Week 6
Linda Babcock: Ask for It
1. The Cost of Not Asking

2. How to Ask
3. Bonus: Teaching Kids to Negotiate
Week 7
Herb Cohen: You Can Negotiate Anything

1. What Can You Negotiate?
2. Advanced Topics
3. Two Stories with Morals
4. Herb Cohen Take 2 (One of Herb's Lessons from Module 4)
Week 8
John McCall MacBain: The Consummate Dealmaker
1. Six lessons
Week 9
Acknowledgments and Further Readings
1. Survey
2. Acknowledgments
3. Further Readings
4. Alternative Versions

Boosting Your Confidence

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10 Ways You Can Start

Boosting Your Confidence

By Rhett Power of Inc.

Just like the sun provides crucial Vitamin D, confidence provides

Below are 10 ways to become a more confident person that should

1. Fake it Until You Make It

2. Dress the Part

Here’s what you need to spruce up your style without much extra

3. Create a Positive Network

Here’s how can you build an incredible network from scratch.

Here’s how you can finally stop procrastinating.

5. Fix Something Small

Here are some of the habits you can fix quickly.

Here’s how you can even get moving at the office.

8. Participate in Community Service

Here’s more on volunteerism.

Here’s the messy person’s guide to staying organized.

Here’s how to re-focus on your big career goals.

More From Inc.

 Want to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence? Here Is the

Photo of confident woman courtesy of Shutterstock.

About The Author

45 Free Online Classes You

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Whether you’re interested in programming, graphic design, speech

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P.P.S. None of them take more than 10 weeks to complete, so be

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